The state government rolled over and handed out $250 million in corporate welfare in an effort to woo Dell. Understandably, other computer makers with manufacturing shops here are a bit peeved about this, as they should be.
I know the economy is tough. No politician in her right mind would ignore a chance to add jobs. Or to appear to add jobs, at least. But writing a staggering check to a company to bring them here is to the extreme.
There is no promise that Dell will stay here. No promise that those jobs will remain. With all other jobs seemingly headed to Asia, one has to wonder how long a manufacturing plant in North Carolina will be profitable. Then again, if you’re being bankrolled by the state, I suppose you don’t have to worry about such things.
Corporate welfare occurs when politicians stop trying to find creative ways of spurring business. And don’t get me wrong. I think Dell is a good company. They may even be around for a while in the cutthroat business of computer hardware. Putting the burden of their success on the rest of us taxpayers and business owners, however, just ain’t right.
There’s got to be a better way.
there is a better way. Eliminate taxes. It would spur small businesses, increase the workforce and make it attract larger companies trying to get the best workers possible.
Of course, if we did eliminate the taxes, we’d be accused of starving our children and being greedy…
ScootDawg
>But writing a staggering check to a company to bring them here is to >the extreme.
Unless its matched by a staggering check to your campaign coffers.
Mayor Quimby
Imagine how torn it makes me feel- irritated about corporate welfare and half-wondering if I should apply if/when jobs come here. Hey, it’s not fun being an unemployed loser!
Oops, guess I’m not logged in- this was from Crystal.
Well, you can stay irritated at corporate welfare, because those jobs are coming to Greensboro, not here. 🙂
Drat. Well, I guess I’ll stay unemployed. Why didn’t someone slap me when I decided to major in sociology?!